Tis the Season to be JOLLY!

The Christmas spirit is filling up our house! We found our perfect Christmas tree Saturday night and spent all day Sunday decorating, decorating, decorating! Russell was totally into trimming the tree and did not stop until every last ornament was out of the boxes and on the tree. We only broke two during the process. Sloane enjoyed listening to Christmas music more than decorating. She danced around the house while wearing her new pajamas that state dancing makes me happy! Tonight the kids helped me hang their advent calendars in preparation for December 1st. They look forward to this tradition every year. It amazes me how much they remember from previous years. We have 25 FUN days ahead of us!!!

Getting out the Christmas lights and checking to see if they work.

One of Russell's handmade ornaments.
A fun tradition of counting the days to Christmas!

"Cool Mom! I appreciate this chart!"

Happy Thanksgiving!

This time of year always brings so many emotions. I am feeling overly thankful these days for so many things, too many to write about in a short blog message. However, I am sure you can figure most of them out...just look at my beautiful children, devoted husband, and caring family and friends. I will stop there before I begin shedding tears as I type. Happy Thanksgiving to ALL! I hope your "turkey day" was as fun and blessed as mine!

During our Thanksgiving festivities at my brother Keith's house, Sloane led the women in a game of Mickey Mouse BINGO. She also was busy playing Memory and Checkers. We have a game lover on our hands! Hopefully Santa follows through with her wish for a "Princess Game."

Katie and Travis' puppies were the hit of another family gathering. Russell and Sloane kept busy following them around and trying to hold them. As fast as these pups are growing, it won't be long before they are chasing the kids around!
Russell was sure to wear his Detroit Lions shirt in order to tease Uncle Keith - the Packer fan! Keith wasted no time torturing the kids with tickles and tackles until they surrendered yelling "GO PACKERS!"
Russell got just far enough away before yelling, "GO LIONS! PACKERS STINK!" He followed this up with a tackle of his own!

One final picture that I couldn't resist posting. My mom, my hero! Her courage, strength, love, and faith is overwhelming! I love you Mom!!! KEEP FIGHTING!!!

Lots to do in November!

For my side of the family November means ONE thing... DEER HUNTING! We headed to my grandparents' house last Sunday for a big family meal. The kids and I spent just the day there. Russell was busy hanging with the men preparing for the opening day of deer hunting. He checked out all the blinds and practiced shooting with his cross bow. Sloane spent the day playing and chatting with the women of the family. She spent time describing to Kelly her ideas of a perfect flower girl dress and then insisted that Katie and Kelly sit on either side of her for dinner. Russell on the other hand, insisted on sitting with the men while eating and watching football! This week we enjoyed a quick visit with my parents and then today we headed downtown Royal Oak for the annual holiday parade. The kids loved the music, dancers, dressed-up dogs, and of course SANTA CLAUS! We are looking forward to a quiet Thanksgiving filled with lots of time for rest and relaxation!!!

Russell hanging with the men during dinner.

He is typically Papa's little shadow!

Both kids loved petting Katie and Travis' new puppies!
Checking out the Royal Oak Holiday Parade.
Russell with his buddy Antonio. Is Santa on his way?
Santa lead the crowd in a contest to see which side of the street could say the loudest "HO, HO, HO!"
Sloane and Alejandro found front row seats.

Birthday #5

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It's raking time in Royal Oak! The oak trees are quickly decorating the yards and streets all around us. Last night we had family raking night in preparation for the street sweeping truck that comes by on Friday. The kids each helped out and then once our leaf pile was high enough for Russell's standards, they dropped their rakes and took off for a flying leap into the pile! Oh, to be a kid again...

Happy Halloween!

Another busy October weekend has come to an end. Aron's mom came for a visit to celebrate Halloween with us (and to spoil the kids)! Russell had a friend's birthday party on Saturday and we hosted our annual neighborhood Halloween party today. I hope everyone had as much fun as Russell and Sloane did this Halloween! Let's pray for a blessed November filled with LOTS of good news!

Sloane, Anna, and Casey The gang on Altadena! Even Mac was trying to get into all the shots.
Russell, Alejandro, Zeke, and Antonio
Hot dogs and candy...what a night!
Lined up and ready for trick-or-treating excitement!
Grammy Carlson gave Russell early birthday presents! Is my baby boy really going to be 5?!?!
Russell celebrated his buddy William's birthday on Saturday.
Sloane had a Halloween party at dance class this week. Here she is with her good pal Sadie.

A Full Calendar in October!

October must be the BEST month of the year in Michigan! There is so much to do and see.

This week it was Aron's turn to chaperon a field trip. Russell's class went to Yates Cider Mill where they learned and watched how cider is made. They also had the opportunity to ride ponies and feed animals. Aron enjoyed his time with Russell, especially considering the ordeal he went through to get there...

I received a panicked call at work from Aron telling me that he locked himself out of our house. He had no way of driving his car to meet Russell. So, I quickly grabbed someone to cover my class so I could make the 40 minute commute home to rescue him. After letting him in the house, I turned around and drove 40 minutes back to work. What a day!!! Needless to say we have returned our hidden key back to its intended spot!

Today we spent a fun-filled evening at Greenfield Village for their annual Halloween nights. The weather could not have been better! 64 degrees!!! Now that the kids are older, it is harder to keep up with them. They are so excited to catch all that is going on. The hit this year was Ronald McDonald. He stood at one of the trick-or-treat stations greeting all the kids with jokes. Russell and Sloane, along with all their friends, were full of giggles as Ronald McDonald happily teased them. Another fun stop was the Headless Horseman. Russell could have stayed their all night yelling at the be-headed man riding along on his horse with a sword in hand!

We have a lot more fun in store before October is over...stay tuned!

Russell drove the apple truck at Yates Cider Mill.

Russell was a bit disappointed that his horse didn't run.
The gang of kids getting ready for a spooky walk through Greenfield Village.

"Come on Mom, do we have to pose for pictures?"

Scarecrow, Barbie Mermaid, Strawberry Shortcake, Snow White, Captain Hook, Optimus Prime, Captain Cody-Clone Trooper, Spiderman 1 & 2, and Thomas the Tank Engine

Checking out the Headless Horseman!

Whoa!

Should we call Better Made chip company? This is quite the advertisement!